Linas Kleiza, the newly appointed head of the Lithuanian national basketball team program, has confirmed plans to meet with NBA star D’Angelo Russell.
The Los Angeles Lakers point guard recently expressed interest in representing Lithuania, sparking significant buzz in the basketball community.
Kleiza shared his thoughts on the situation, emphasizing Lithuania’s respect for Russell’s talent. “It’s an honor that D’Angelo Russell expressed interest in representing Lithuania. He’s an incredibly talented player, and we have great respect for him,” the former NBA player said in a recent statement.
However, Kleiza also made it clear that obtaining Lithuanian citizenship is a complex and lengthy process. “The process of acquiring citizenship through an exception is not quick or easy. Currently, no such process has begun,” Kleiza added.
The Lithuanian government requires a special exception for foreign nationals to gain citizenship, a procedure that is rarely granted.
The Lithuanian Basketball Federation (LKF) recently addressed rumors about Russell’s potential naturalization, officially denying that any legal steps had been taken to include him in the national team.
Currently, Ignas Brazdeikis, a Lithuania-born player who previously represented Canada, holds the only naturalized player slot for the national team.
Despite the legal challenges, Russell remains enthusiastic about the possibility of playing for Lithuania. The 28-year-old Lakers guard, whose partner Laura Ivaniukas has Lithuanian heritage, has shown serious interest in obtaining Lithuanian citizenship.
Russell responded to recent reports via Instagram, stating, “Let’s make it happen.” The idea of him joining the Lithuanian national team, especially in time for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, has sparked significant conversation.
Russell’s potential path to citizenship hinges on Lithuania’s strict naturalization laws, which allow foreign nationals to acquire citizenship only through exceptional circumstances, typically requiring proof of “outstanding merits” or a deep integration into Lithuanian society.
Although the process is rarely applied, it does provide a potential avenue for athletes like Russell with personal ties to the country.
While Lithuania’s basketball program has historically been conservative about granting citizenship to foreign players, there have been exceptions in the past.
Brazdeikis, for example, was granted citizenship after moving to the United States as a child, and he now represents Lithuania on the international stage.
For now, Russell’s hopes of playing for Lithuania depend on the outcome of the citizenship process, which may take time to navigate. If successful, it could lead to his involvement in future international competitions, including the Olympics and FIBA tournaments.
The meeting between Kleiza and Russell is expected to take place in early 2025, when Kleiza plans to travel to the United States.
During the meeting, Kleiza intends to discuss the possibility of Russell joining the Lithuanian team and invite him to visit Lithuania to explore the country’s basketball culture and history.
While it’s still uncertain whether Russell will be able to represent Lithuania, his ambition to join the national team adds another layer of intrigue to Lithuania’s storied basketball legacy.
